Optimal age groups to target for influenza
vaccination to reduce the impact of influenza in
Hong Kong: abridged secondary publication
TK Tsang, BJ Cowling
School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Based on the fitted directed graph model, the probabilities of infection among household members of vaccinated and unvaccinated children were similar, suggesting limited indirect protection for household members through vaccination of children.
- Influenza vaccination strategies targeting the age group with the highest attack rate are most effective. Children have the highest attack rate; therefore, influenza vaccination strategies targeting children can decrease the attack rate in older adults.
- Influenza vaccination strategies targeting children are more efficient in most influenza seasons. However, attack rate and infection severity in older adults should also be considered.